SD Food Bank Still Operating During COVID-19 Crisis

By JAApr 21, 2020

Since the City of San Diego declared a State of Emergency, the San Diego Food Bank has been flooded with calls from food recipients who are asking if the Food Bank will continue its hunger-relief programs amid the crisis. The San Diego-based, nonprofit, hunger-relief organization wants reassure the community that it will continue its food distribution programs throughout San Diego County during the COVID-19 crisis.

As business closures, social distancing, and voluntary isolation impact the county, the Food Bank has experienced a significant drop in volunteers, which are critical to its operation. The Food Bank is also receiving numerous calls from San Diegans who simply don't have access to food because of the run on stores and recent store closures.

VOLUNTEER: If you are in good health and would like to volunteer at the San Diego Food Bank, click HERE.

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank currently feeds 350,000 people every month through 200 countywide food distributions and by supplying food to 500+ nonprofits with hunger-relief programs. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 32 million pounds of food to those in need in communities throughout San Diego County.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in California, 25 community and business groups totaling 600 volunteers have canceled volunteer shifts at the Food Bank over concerns about COVID-19. With a staff of 70, the Food Bank relies entirely on an army of volunteers to inspect, sort and package food for the 350,000 people it serves every month. Without volunteer support, the Food Bank cannot carry out its mission.

In addition to needing volunteers to work at their facilities, the Food Bank is also in need of financial assistance as many San Diegan's simply don't have access to food because of the

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis affecting the region, the San Diego Food Bank:

Will continue serving individuals and families in need at its 200 emergency food distribution sites throughout San Diego County.

Ensuring that clients in all Food Bank lines must stand 6 feet apart as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the virus.

At the Food Bank’s 65 Senior Food Program food distribution sites located throughout the county, the Food Bank encourages seniors enrolled on the food program to send proxies to pick up food on their behalf to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19. Proxies can be a friend or family member.

For staff and volunteers at the Food Bank’s 90,000-square-foot Miramar warehouse and its 30,000-square-foot Vista warehouse, the following measures have been implemented:

Providing gloves to all staff and volunteers handling food.

Providing additional hand sanitizers and hand washing stations are now available throughout both warehouses

Increasing the visibility and importance of hand washing in restrooms and throughout the facilities

Advising people to avoid touching their eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands

Advising people to avoid close contact with people who are sick

Advising staff and volunteers to stay home if they display signs of illness or come into contact with affected individuals

The Food Bank’s operations are continuing as normal. The Food Bank is monitoring the situation closely and taking necessary precautions to help make sure that food and product remains safe and that our distributions and volunteer activities can continue.

The Food Bank is committed to the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors. They are closely monitoring announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that we are following their recommended guidelines.

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Resources for San Diegans during the coronavirus crisis, including lists of: restaurants offering take-out and delivery, stores offering special shopping hours for seniors and disabled, and non-profit organizations that need volunteers and donations of goods and services.